Overshoe.



G. N. KINNBLL.

, ovEsHoB. AIPLIUATION FILED MAB.. 6', 190.9. RBNBWBD 00T. 31, 1911.

1,010,386. Patented Nov.'28,191-1.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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G. N. KINNBLL.

OVBRSHDE.

APPLICATION FILED 1113.6, 1909. RBNBWED 001231, 1911.

1,010,386..l Patented 11011.28, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G'. N. KINNELL. OVERSBOB.

APPLICATION FILED MAB..6, 1909. BBNEWBD 001.31, 1911.

1,010,386. Patented Npv. 28, 19

4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

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'OVBRSHOR APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6, 19.09. RBNBWED 00T. 31, 1811" w/mEssEs.-

* v.UNITED STATES PATENT.' oFFieE.

AGEORGE N. KI'NNELL, or rrirsr'tnnn,Y MASSACHUSETTS.

oVERsHoE.

Specication of Letters Patent. Patented NOV.. 28, 1911.

Application filed March (l, 1909, Serial No. 481,830. Renewed Octoberl, 19.11. Serial No. 657,721.

of Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire and `State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Overshocs, of which-the following is a specification.

My present invention concerns detachable overshoes for various purposes, particularly applicable for use on horses and other hoofed animals'forv various purposes and particularly to' prevent slipping.

vvIn my prior application Serial No. 460,33,"I rhave shownan overshoeconsisting' of interconnected diagonal strands or articulations adapted to serve as calks and suspended by a spreader and equalizing lever on each side of the foot, subject to upwardv andv forward tensionl through atoeI 'strap' and to rearward tension through `a heel member seated in the notches under the heels of the hoof and above the rearwardly projecting ends of the metallic shoe. The heel member may be 'ot' tine quality/'steel wire lor chain, but I prefer heavy baling wire which does not stretch and is not very resilient, yet is flexible enough so that in use it ti'tsitself to the surface uponwhich it bears and becomes bent or set so that there is practically no tendency for it to spring out of position. Various other novel features and'funetions of said overshoe are eX- said application. In-` other ap- I have described auxiliary means plications,

ior supporting the heel member independently of engagement4 with the heels of the hoof. 'For present purposes, I have chosen to show the lheel member as consistingof `cushioned wire engaging thenotches between the ordinary shoe and the heels of the ho0'f, after the `manner set forth in said application Serial No. 460,336; also, the tread members are shown as consisting ot strands or articulations in the form of short lengths of chain. These may be disposed across the cavityvunder the hoofin any desired way,

v though for most purposes I prefer the diag- Ni. KiNNnnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident onal arrangement with an interconnecting central link, 'such as shown in the aforesaid.

application. y l

In Aall of the iigures, the securing'means on the overshoe includes a tension member extending diagonally over the toe of the hoof and adapted to oppose downward and rearward displacement, after the manner explained in said application.

The' various features constituting my present `invention will be evident from the l following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

whichf f Figures-1 to 9 and lland 12 are side elevations each sho-wing a horses hoot' with an overshoe embodying various features of my mvention. Fig. 101s a bottom view of a horse`s hoot' with van overshoeas shown in Y Fig-9. Fig. 13 is a bottom ,view of a horses hoof showmg the interconnecting central link ot anr overshoe.

In all of the figures, the hoof 1 is provided with the metal. shoe 2 of the ordinaryT type 'i projecting.slightly beyond the heels of the hoot'. In all of the figures, the tread strands where chain treads .are disclosed are onnected to the Securing means byend links 3, 4, and in each case the securing means comprises aband encircling the walls of the hoof. comprising a. heel member 6 and a toe member or ,strap 9, adapted to be 'tightened in place by bucklev 1l, together with an intermediate connection betiveen the toe and heel members.

Referring particularly to Figfl, it will be seen that the -member 7 acts as a. spreader to maintain separation f the forward and rear tread ,chains and also as an equalizing lever to apply the upward resultant of the tension of the toe strap 9to both the rear `and the forward tread strands. Instead of being a bent lever, as in my prior application` it a straight lever ha ving the tension of the toc strap applied thereto through a pivotal connection at 8, the pivotal point be` ing approximately in a straight line between the points of attachment of the flexible tread. The end linkswt;ofV the tread,

insomuch as the tension of the toe strap is applied at a point above a straight line be. tween the points of connection of thetread..

The toe strap is connected through a loop or hook 14 engaging a slot 15, extendlng approximately parallel with the front line f of the toe, thereby permitting slight'play and self-adjustment of the toe strap for different sizes and shapes of hoof, somewhatlas in my prior.application'referred to.

In both Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the line offtension f the heel member is almost directly rearward, thereby largely balancing the forward component of' the pull of the diagonal toe strap, and thuswleaving a large upward resultant to be applied tothe forward and rear tread chains by the equalizing lever.

In Figs. 3 and 4, I have shown modifications whereby the functions of spreader and equalizing lever are separated and the portion of the pulliof the equalizing lever applied to the rear tread member is applied from a point higher up on the hoof. In Fig. 3, the equalizing lever 27 is pivoted at the forward tread link 3, and extends up the surface of the hoof along the approxi-mately straight 4line elements thereof. y'Ihe free upper end of the lever exerts tension on the rear link 4 at a high angle upward through the intermediate tension member 28. The pullvof the toe strap is' applied through a pivotal `connection 9.9 intermediate points of connection of-3 and 28. In this case, a spreader is not absolutely necessary as the forward component of the pull of the equalizing lever on 3 tends to keep;the forward tread chains in a forward position and the heel member 6 tends to keep the rear tread member in the rearward position. As shown, however, the spreader 30 is provided, which is preferably sutiiciently rigid to form a thrustmembe adapted to maintain sepa- @ration of the tread strands against either thrust or tension. y Fig. 4 is a modified embodiment ofya prin- .ple illustrated in Fig. 3. The equalizing lever 37 is provided with a loop forsliding, adjusting engagement withf the toe lstrap above the point of interlinkage. withY the forward chain 3. The free end of the lever 37 is extended to a point above therear tread link 4 and applies upward stress thereto through an intermediate member 38. In this case, a tension connection 40 is provided between links 3 and 4 to serve as a tension spreader to limit the distance of separation under pull of the toe strap.

Fig. 5 shows a simplified form in which a single tread chain 3 1s used, preferably extending diametrically across the/cavity under the hoof at a point sufficiently far from the toe to prevent danger/hf displacement over the toe. In this c e, 'lever and spreader functions are not ecessary and the heel, toe, and tread /rnembers are connected by link 47. -In this case, the lengths of the three members are so proportioned that the pull ofthe heel member will be considerably morenearly horizontal than the pull of the toe strap, thus balancing the forward component of the pull ofthe toe strap and leaving an upward component sufficient for sup port of the tread strand.

In Fig. 6, two tread members are used, as in Figs. 1 to 4. The spreader function is accomplished by ,causing the rear tread conlnection 4 to have a sliding engagement with the heel member 6, as at 58, and proportioning the lengths of the members so that the rear tread connection holds down the heel member to a. position where its primary pull is nearly horizontal, while the connecting portion 59, in advance of the sliding engagement at 58, inclines upwardly at a greater angle. In this case, there is practically no lever effect, the upward tension through link 57 being divided between the forward and rear tread links 3, 4, in proportion to the effectiveness of the several angles ofv stress of the system 6, 4, 59, 9 and the systemrepresented by 59, 3, 9, in giving upward .resultants from 9 on their respective tread connections 4 and 3.

.Fig.f7 is similar to Fig. 6, insomuch as the heel member is held down by a. sliding connection of the rear link 4 but the upward angle of the extension 68 of the heel member is greatly increased by the use of the equalizing'lever 6T, which divides thetension of the toe strap between the forwardtread link 3 and the said extension 68. 'In said Fig. 7, there is no separate spreader, the spreader function being eifectedby the diiferencein direction of ull of 6 and 68 upon sliding member 4, which operates to Vmaintain 4 in the'rearward position, while the sitive pull of thetoe strap lmaintains the onward;

link 3 in the forward position.

In Fig. 8, Ihavecombined and modilid certain features shownin Figs. 3 and 4'. In` this case, the equalizing lever 77 yextendsfan approximately the same general direcim asjtheA lever 27, in Fig. 3. It is connected .tnt the 'rear tread link 4, by a tensionimemoer:

78, similar to 28. The spreader is aitension, spreader 80, adapted to limit the possible distance of separation of-the forward and fijar rear treadlinks. They toe strap is connected to the equalizingtleverby tension members 81, 82, instead ofby a'pivot, as invFi'g. 3, or a loop, asin Fig.

Figs. 9, 1,0, 11, and 12 show flexible yielding tread strands adapted to 'serveE as calks, but. which are not articulated after the manner of the chain links shown in the preceding figures.

In Fig. 9, the securing means maybe and preferably is in all respects similar to that shown in my prior application Serial No. 460,336. The tread strands, however, consist 'of fine quality steel wire, such. as large size piano wire. -In the said figure, the strands may be composed ofr one or more lengths of the wire, as indicated at 93, 93, 9-1, 94. The wires are not likely to injure Vthe frog, and lhence may be extended either directly or diagonally across the frog, though I prefer to provide a central spacing' link 95, as shown in `Fig.10. In said figure, the rear side of the link is bent forwardly so as to cross the central region of the frog nearer the point thereof,

Figs. l1 and 12 show a securing means,

somewhat similar to lthat shown in Fig. 5.

The tread, however, is composed of a plurality of wires extending diametrically across the tread. In Fig. ll, the wire is shown as one continuous length secured at one end 98 to the stirrup 101, and threaded back and forth across the tread around a similar stirrup on the side of the hoof and secured at the other end 99 to said lirst mentioned stir,- rup. Fig. l2 differs from Fig. 11 in that each wire is separately secured. 'In both '.figures, the wires are disposed in recesses '100, adapted to maintain separation thereof. They are suspended from the link 97 by means of the stirrup 101, preferably by means of a hook 102. The latter is preferably of malleable metal to facilitate renewal of the tread portion when the wire of the same becomes broken. `The old tread may be removed by breaking or' bending open the hook 102, and the new tread may be applied by hooking the stirrup tothe link and closing the hook by a. blow of the hammer. It will be obvious that these terminal hooks for renewing treads of 'non-slip overshoes may be applied to any form of tread. For instance, they may be used in place of the split links 3, 4, shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Fig. 13, -is shown a bottom.yiew of a h'orses hoof with an overshoe "as .shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3,4, '6, 7, and 8, provi-ded with an interconnecting central link of thel form4 -I'hi-,le I have herein fully shown and described, and have pointed out in the appended claims certain novel features of construccharacterize my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various' omissions, substitutions, and changes in the forms, proportions, sizes, and details of the device and of its operation, may be made without departing from my invention.

I claim:

l. An overshoe con prising an articulated strand adapted-to serve as a calk beneath the treadofj the hoof, in combination with securing means therefor comprising a toe member passing diagonally over the foe and adapted to afford upward and forward tension, and a member passing around the heel of the hoof and adapted to afford tension in a direction more nearly horizontal than the direction of tension of said toe member.

2. An overshoe comprising an articulated v strand adapted to serve as a calkbeneath the tread of the hoof, in combination with securing means therefor comprising a toe member passing diagonally over the toe and adapted to afford upward and forward tension, and a member passing around the heel of the hoof and adapted to afford tension ina direction more nearly horizontal than the direction of tension of said toe member, the desired directions of tension of the several members being predetermined by the lengths of the respectit'e members.

l3. In a device of the Class described, fiexi- -ble tread connections and securing means comprising a diagonally arranged toe member, a rearwardly extending heel member and a straight horizontal equalizing lever extendingbetween the forwardA tread connection and the rear tread connection and connected to the toe strap so that the tension of the latter is applied to said equalizing' lever at a point intermediate its'ends.

et. As an article of manufacture, a flexible tread for overshoes comprising short lengths of chain and a central tlatmember adapted to span the frog of the hoof provided with suitable securing terminals, said parts being proportioned and arranged to extend across the tread and to fit corresponding engaging portionsl of suitable securing means extending about the sides of the foot.

5. As an article of manufacture, a flexible tread for overshoes,I comprising short lengths of chain and a central flat link adapted to span the frog of the hoof provided with suitable securing terminals, said parts being Vproportioned and 'arranged to extend, across the tread. and to fit corresponding engaging portions of suitable securing means extending about the side of the foot.

(i. As an article of manufacture, a flexible tread for overshoes comprising marginal flexibly connected articulations anda central the foot.

7. As :in article of nmnufacture, a flexible trend for overshoes comprislng marginal tlexlbly connected nrtlculatlons and a centml link adapted to span the frog of the` hoof provided with suitable securing terminais, said parts being proportioned and arranged to extend across the tread and to t corresponding engaging portions of suitable 15 securing means extending about the sides of the foot.

Signed at New York city inthe county of New York and State of New York this third day of March A. D. 1909.

d GEORGE N. KINNELL. lVitnesses: i

GEORGE C. DEAN, A IRVING M. OBRIEGHT. 

